This year’s Prince Albert Winter Festival King and Queen Trapper had seven participants from across the province showcasing their traditional survival skills.
The competition, separated into men’s and women’s categories, consisting of events such as snowshoe racing, log tossing, axe throwing, sled pulling and water boiling.
The competition took place on Saturday and Sunday at the Prince Albert Winter Festival Outdoor site on Marquis Road. There were four male competitors and three female competitors.
The King and Queen Trapper were each multiple time winners with Queen Trapper Clarissa Burns and King Trapper Richard Charles of Stanley Mission taking the titles.
Charles has been competing in Prince Albert for over 20 years and successfully defended his crown from 2023 and 2024.
“It feels so awesome to compete against and with the great guys here,” Charles said. “It’s been a privilege to compete against my friends, my competitors. (It’s) kind of like a family together. We compete (and) follow each other and makes it more special.”
He said the competitors bring their families and expose the youth to trappers competitions.
The weather was warm on the weekend, but Charles said it wasn’t a problem.
Repeat winner Richard Charles gets raised on the shoulders of his competition on Sunday at the King and Queen Trapper at the Prince Albert Winter Festival Outdoor site.
Competitor Andy Dubort works on completing his water boiling on Sunday at the King and Queen Trapper at the Prince Albert Winter Festival Outdoor site.
“It was awesome. You don’t need to buckle up like we used to after we do our event and you put our heavy gear on to stay warm. This year, we don’t ever have to do that we just put our jacket on. It was awesome weather.”
Burns started competing in the Queen Trapper competitions when she was 13 years old and still enjoys it. She has competed in every Queen Trapper since it was created and won every one.
“I find it very rewarding because I’m getting up there in age,” Burns said. “I’ve been teaching younger people and not really focusing on training anymore, so I’m actually very grateful that I’m able to win at my age.”
“I am almost at the top of the hill,” Burns said of her age.
Burns said that the weather was a nice break after colder temperatures at the previous competition.
“It was much better. I was running on snowshoes in -42 last weekend (in The Pas), so this is a real (change),” she said.
“It was a nice treat to be running in the warm weather,” she added.
Burns said the competitors were familiar to her both as family and fellow competitors.
“There was only three people and one of them is a newer competitor, my cousin Veronica and Flora is a veteran trapper,” she said.
Burns said that with a smaller field the competition does tighten up.
“You have got to be more consistent with beating the others to get that extra point…so you have to be quick and skilled,” she explained.
Charles thanked the Prince Albert Winter Festival and the sponsors for putting on the event. He also noted the work of volunteer emcee Taras Kachkowski.
“I like that guy he’s a really cool guy. It was nice having him,” Charles said.
Burns was happy to see so many youth participating in the Junior Trapper event which was next door at the site.
“I love that there are so many youth out here today. Hopefully those youths are going to follow me and come into the adult category once they age out and the festival will grow. That’s what I want to see.”
After the champions received their prizes they were each raised on the shoulders of their competition in a tradition that began in the 2024 King and Queen Trapper.
In the King Trapper, Charles was first with 71 points, Clinton Merasty was second with 57 points, Abel Crane was third with 43 points, Andy Dubort was third with 36 points and late entrant Blaze Carrier who did not compete in all events was fourth with 20 points.
In the Queen Trapper Burns was first with 65 points, Flora Whitecap was second with 59 points and Veronica Laliberte was third with 46 points.
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
